A well planned, well-written executive summary is a valuable tool.
It puts the reader first by making their time a priority. It reduces the effort required to become familiar with the critical aspects of the content. The summary must convey the purpose of your proposal, business plan or sales pitch.
Sometimes it may be the only thing your audience reads, and an excellent executive summary creates value as a first impression. You should use the executive summary to make a business case, support a position, or tell a story. The reader should know how the subject of your content impacts them. It should be clear how it benefits their work, their company, or their projects.
An executive summary ensures the prospect knows that you understand their pain and plan to solve it.
Your executive summary must pack a punch, entice the reader to give your proposal their full attention and orient them to your most important takeaways.
You will not have long to make a first impression. So, you better do it right. Here is how:
As the first piece of reading in your proposal, your executive summary needs must impress right away.
What are you going to do to turn this pain around?
Reassure your prospect that you have the expertise and have taken the time to understand their business. In doing so, you will demonstrate your value.
Last words
The executive summary is the first and last thing the prospect will remember. With an excellent executive summary, you will stay top of mind long after the proposal is read. So it is worth taking the time to get it right.
